Michael Laudrup lauds his Swansea defence

MICHAEL Laudrup tore apart some of the best defences in the world football while playing for Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Now the Swansea manager boasts the joint meanest away defensive record in the Premier League – alongside tonight’s FA Cup replay opponents Arsenal.

His club have conceded just nine goals on the road in the league this season.

And following back-to-back clean sheets at Chelsea – in the Capital One Cup – and Everton on Saturday, Laudrup insists his resilient back line can deliver a hat-trick of shut-outs with another solid display against Arsene Wenger’s Gunners to book a match at Brighton in the fourth round.

We have shown throughout the season, but particularly in the past two games, how solid we are

Michael Laudrup

Laudrup, said: “We have shown throughout the season, but particularly in the past two games, how solid we are.

“I’ve been a bit surprised by how solid we have looked defending deep.

“Against Chelsea it is one thing as they don’t play many balls into the box. But Everton do, with a lot of big guys up there and we did great.

“That’s really good to see. In 11 away matches, we have only conceded nine goals which is quite good for a manager who always played up front.”

Swansea produced a water-tight defensive performance in the 2-0 league win at the Emirates last month. And Laudrup reckons all the pressure is on the north Londoners as his side aim to secure an incredible fifth win in the capital this season.

That follows victories at QPR, the Gunners, Fulham and Chelsea.

Laudrup added: “I like London as we’ve only lost to Tottenham. We’ve done really well there.”

The Swans have completed an 18-month loan deal for Osasuna attacker Roland Lamah. And the 25-year-old Belgian international says countryman Eden Hazard, of Chelsea, convinced him to join.

Lamah, ineligible to face Arsenal, said: “I’m friends with Hazard and spoke to him before making my decision. He said he thinks I will feel good here. Hopefully I can follow the likes of Hazard, Mousa Dembele and Vincent Kompany.

“It is good that Belgian players are doing so well. I hope I can play well and get back into the national team and help Belgium get to the World Cup.